Florida will make these emergency preparedness items tax exempt

We have talked about emergency preparedness a lot on our site lately.  We believe in kitchen self-sufficiency and traditional skills because they are healthy, economical, environmentally friendlier than packaged foods, and…because they ensure a greater sense of security in the face of disaster.  Disaster preparedness is on our minds this time of year, knowing that we are just around the corner from Tornado Season and Hurricane Season in many parts of our country.

The state of Florida has heard bills for several sessions in a row to encourage people to be prepared for natural disasters, and have approved tax-exempt weeks for over a decade to help citizens get ready.  The state recognizes that it is in their best interest and the best interest of its fine citizens to be ready for what may come.

If you don’t live in Florida but have family or friends that do, be intentional and ask them if they are ready for the Spring storms.   If you live in a state with something like this that I don’t know about, would you leave a comment?

Here are a few other states that do something similar:

  • South Carolina also has a “Hurricane Preparedness Weekend”
  • Vermont has a 3 day tax exemption on hurricane supplies in August

Florida routinely passes a bill through their legislature (right now it’s Bill 664, first read on the floor 2/16/2017), which makes many preparedness disaster items tax exempt!  The catch is that this tax exemption would be good for only 1 week (the start of Hurricane Season).  May 30-June 5th in 2017, you could prepare for what may come and save a few pennies, too.   This is still yet to pass, so keep an eye on your government!

Emergency Preparedness bill in Florida Senate

Emergency Preparedness Items that Qualify:

  • A portable self-powered light for $20 or less
  • A 2-way radio, a self-powered radio, or a weather band radio selling for $75 or less
  • Tarps and sheeting for $50 or less
  • Tie-down kits for $50 or less
  • A fuel tank for $25 or less
  • A whole host of various batteries for $30 or less
  • A cell phone battery for $60 or less, or the charger for $40 or less
  • A nonelectric food storage cooler for $30 or less
  • A portable generator for $1,000 or less
  • Storm shutters for $200 or less
  • Carbon Monoxide detectors for $75 or less
  • Ice for $10 or less (what do they mean by “reusable,” exactly?)
  • Fancy gadgets that have more than 1 of the above mentioned things for $75 or less
  • Locator beacon for $600 or less
  • Backup computer drive for $200 or less
  • Uninterruptable power supply system for $200 or less (see the details on what qualifies)

 

I found it somewhat humorous that they had to specify in this law that sales in hotels and theme parks don’t count.

The bill is called the Disaster Preparedness Tax Exemption Bill, so watch to see if this will take effect and help you save a few dollars.

Find the bill here for the details.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *